What's new in the new school year

Aug. 21, 2019

Welcome to the start of a new school year!

Dr. Steve Webb welcomes staff, students and families back to school for the 2019-20 school year. Hear his message for the year, and get a reminder of all the great things the district is doing for children.

The highs and lows of the approved 2019-20 budget

Following a public hearing at the Aug. 13 school board meeting, the board of directors adopted resolution 841, the budget for the 2019-20 school year. The budget reflects several actions to address a $14.5 million budget shortfall the district faces following the transition to the state's new funding model.

This budget:

Uses $10.3 million in one-time funding–$6.5 million of one-time state levy equalization money thanks to Senator Annette Cleveland and $3.8 million of one-time money from the district’s fund balance. This approach allows VPS to preserve all the school-based, direct service positions originally identified as possible reductions to consider, but only for the 2019-20 school year.
Removes 10 centrally budgeted teachers on special assignment for a $1.2 million cost savings
Reduces central office/support services budgets by 5% for a $1.2 million savings
Reduces central administration positions by 15% for an $800,000 savings
Reduces professional development travel by 50% for a $400,000 savings
Eliminates one grounds maintenance position for a $75,000 savings

In June, the board of directors discussed a possible supplemental levy measure, recommended by the district's management task force, as a sustainable revenue source. That option, which would require voter approval, will be explored further in the coming months. Without a sustainable revenue source, the district will face a $10.3 million budget shortfall in the next budget year.

Vancouver educator is finalist for national history award

After being named the 2019 Washington state History Teacher of the Year, Vancouver iTech Preparatory’s John Zingale is now 1 of 10 finalists for the national title. The award from the nonprofit Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History honors exceptional K-12 American history teachers from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and U.S. territories.

Read more.

Teacher recognized for excellence in history education

Skyview High School teacher Dave Armstrong recently received one of the University of Washington’s most prestigious history awards: the Pressly Prize for Excellence in Secondary Education. A former student nominated Armstrong for the prize, which honors Washington state’s outstanding high school history and social studies teachers.

Read more.

Skyview teacher wins Educator Impact Award

Teacher Lynn Eide earned an Odysseyware Educator Impact Award in the blended learning category for her innovative use of curriculum to improve student outcomes. Eide provides learning support to students at Skyview High School who work best in environments outside of general education classrooms. Close to 100% of the school’s 25 seniors in the learning support program were expected to graduate on time this year. Eide now is working to implement the program in more Vancouver schools.

Read more.

See the demolition happening at the old King Elementary. Workers are clearing the way for the new building.

Learn more about facilities projects and upgrades

A lot has happened over the summer! Teachers and staff are moving into the new Ogden Elementary School. New classrooms are nearly ready at Harney and Salmon Creek elementary schools. Classroom additions and other improvements are underway at several more elementary schools including Franklin, Felida, Fruit Valley, Eisenhower and Sacajawea. Construction is progressing on the new McLoughlin Middle School and Marshall Elementary School, iTech Preparatory and Truman Elementary School. Find these updates and more on the district website.

All school construction and upgrade projects are paid for with funding from the bond measure passed by voters in February 2017.

Paul Scarpelli appointed to school board

Paul Scarpelli has been appointed to fill the vacant position on the Vancouver Public Schools board of directors. The appointment follows school board interviews with 11 candidates on Aug. 20. The board of directors voted unanimously in selecting Scarpelli to fill the vacant seat left by board director Michelle Giovannozzi, who resigned at the end of July.

The appointment is temporary until the winner of the November general election is sworn in.

Read more.

Recap of the Aug. 13 and July 9 school board meetings

The board of directors approved the following action at its Aug. 13 meeting:

• Approval of a real estate purchase and sale agreement with Vancouver Housing Authority

The board of directors approved the following actions at its July 9:
• 2019-20 agreement with the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools
• Proposal 2019-025 for custodial work management system and custodial supplies
• Annual award bids for multipurpose paper
• Proposal 2019-015 for milk and dairy products for school cafeterias
• Proposal 2019-016 for produce for school cafeterias
• Purchase agreement 2019-044 for iPads for elementary schools and special services

Board officers named
The school board nominating committee recommended board officers for 2019-20. The board of directors unanimously approved Mark Stoker as school board president and Dale Rice as vice president.

Featured tweet:

Gaiser harvest

Over 1800lbs of food harvested by our NJHS Grizzlies today ⁦@clarkcountyfood⁩ community garden. These kids rock!

See #VPSAmazing tweets from our staff

Thousands attend Go Ready!

Learn more about the Go Ready Back-to-School-Readiness Festival, which provides services to more than 2,000 families each year in preparation for the new school year.

Congratulations, retirees

Velta Ayers, a bus driver, retired Oct. 25, 2018, with 16.8 years of service.

Lynnette Tovey, a paraeducator at Harney Elementary School, retired June 19 with 20.8 years of service.

Correction: Special education teacher Charyl Erickson retired on June 19 with 15 years of service. Charyl taught at Jason Lee Middle School.

Upcoming:

Dates to know

Aug. 27 – First day of school

Sept. 2 – Labor Day, no school

Sept. 9 – 40 min. early release

Sept. 16 – 40 min. early release

Sept. 23 – 40 min. early release

Sept. 30 – 40 min. early release

Get more calendar information.

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Copyright © 2019 Vancouver Public Schools. All rights reserved.

Our address is:
2901 Falk Rd., Vancouver, WA 98661
P.O. Box 8937, Vancouver, WA 98668

Superintendent: Dr. Steve Webb
Board of Directors: Rosemary Fryer, Dale Q. Rice, Wendy Smith, Mark Stoker

Vancouver School District is an Equal Opportunity District in education programs, activities, services, and employment. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, age, families with children, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The district complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Older Worker Protection Act, and all other state, federal, and local equal opportunity laws. You may also contact any of the following people by writing to them at Vancouver School District, PO Box 8937, Vancouver, Washington 98668-8937 or by calling 360-313-1000: ADA–Kathy Everidge; Title VII, 504–Tamara Shoup; IDEA–Daniel Bettis; Affirmative Action–Kathy Everidge; Title IX Elementary–Debra Hale; Title IX Secondary–Chris Olsen; Athletic Equity–Jim Gray. This notification can be provided in the appropriate language for communities of national origin and minority persons with limited English language skills by contacting 360-313-1250.

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Vancouver Public Schools · 2901 Falk Road · Vancouver, Wa 98661 · USA